Lubrication use in condom promotion among commercial sex workers and their clients in Ratchaburi, Thailand
Rojanapithayakorn, W.; Goedken, J.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 78(7): 350-354
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 7658179 Document Number: 294678
A study was conducted in Ratchaburi, Thailand, to determine if water soluble lubricants (WSLs) could reduce the problems associated with frequent condom use among female commercial sex workers (CSWs). 134 CSWs were recruited during March 1990 for participation from 10 different sex entertainment establishments in the city. All establishments were promoting 100% condom use and had high numbers of male clients. The participants were of mean age 22 years in the range of 14-34, had been working as prostitutes for a mean period of 2.2 years, and had an average of 3.4 clients per day. All reported using condoms at least sometimes, but only 55% reported 100% condom use. Disease prevention, cleanliness, and birth control were cited as reasons for condom use. 83% expressed their discontent with regular condom use due to the longer time required for any given client to ejaculate, discomfort or pain, and condom breakage. 50% had never used WSLs before the study. The women were given K-Y Jelly packets each containing 2.7 g of lubricant gel. One week later, 111 of the original 134 participants completed a second round of interviews. They reported an average of two clients per day during the study period and used WSLs with 68% of them. Approximately 95% expressed interest in using WSLs on a regular basis, explaining that WSLs reduced the time clients took to ejaculate, reduced vaginal pain and discomfort, and reduced condom breakage. More than 70% of the women reported that the majority of their clients found using WSLs made condom use more enjoyable. 58 of the 111 CSWs from the second round of interviews were followed two months later. At that time, almost 57% reported using WSLs on a regular basis, with 94% obtaining their WSLs from local venereal disease clinics. WSLs were used in 46% of sexual episodes. Of the 33 participants who reported using WSLs regularly, all agreed that WSLs reduced the incidence of condom breakage.